Page 45 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

ne w orleans through the y ear  43

Average daily hours of sunshine
Hours Sunshine Chart
10 From May through
September, the
8
weather is hot and
6 humid, and the sun
shines for 6 to 8 hours
4 a day. From October
through March, the
2 temperature is colder,
and there are often
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec heavy fogs.
(www.go4thontheriver.com).
Summer This coincides with Essence,
Hot and extremely humid which draws top acts in
weather along with daily black entertainment (www.
thunderstorms make essencemusicfestival.com).
summertime in New Orleans
the off-season period. Since August
the late summer is also the White Linen Night (first Sat).
time when hurricanes and An open-air event in which a
tropical storms are frequent, number of art galleries take
it is wise to be prepared for their exhibits outdoors to
weather alerts. The biggest the Warehouse Art District.
celebration in the city is 4th Satchmo SummerFest (first
of July (Independence Day). weekend). This annual festival
is usually scheduled to coincide
June with the great jazz icon’s
French Market Creole Tomato birthday. Held in the French
Festival (first weekend). Held Quarter, with jazz, food,
in and around the French kids’ events, and special
Market, this unique festival programs (www.satchmo
Crowds enjoying the music at the offers cooking demonstrations summerfest.com).
Jazz Fest and local cuisine (www. Southern Decadence (last
frenchmarket.org). week of Aug to Labor Day).
more than 4,000 jazz musicians Southern Deca dence is a gay
entertain, with a large selection July street party that has over-the-
of traditional food, crafts, and Go 4th on the River (Jul 4). top costumes, parades, and
evening concerts (www. The riverfront hosts the rowdy behavior, and is a great
nojazzfest.com). Independence Day time for adults. Centered in the
cele brations. There is music, French Quarter, it culminates
May food, and entertainment on Labor Day, the first Monday
Whitney Zoo-to-Do (first for the whole family, plus a of September (www.southern
Fri in May). The largest one- spectacular fireworks display decadence.com).
night fundraising event in
the country takes place at
Audubon Zoo (see pp114–15),
with unforgettable dances
among the animals, under
the stars.
Greek Festival (Memorial Day
weekend). The Hellenic Cultural
Center, near Lake Pontchartrain,
hosts two days of cuisine, music,
and arts and crafts.
New Orleans Wine & Food
Experience (Memorial Day
week end). US and European
wineries come to town for
parties, talks, and tastings
(www.nowfe.com). Go 4th on the River celebration at Woldenberg Park

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